Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir López, has said that US air strikes ordered by President Donald Trump will not defeat the country, following explosions that rocked Caracas early Saturday.
López made the statement hours after Trump announced that US forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a military operation.
Explosions Rock Caracas, Power Disrupted
Several explosions shook parts of the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. As a result, sections of Caracas were temporarily cut off from the electricity grid.
Speaking in a video message shared on social media, López said the attacks targeted Venezuelan airspace during the early morning hours.
Defence Minister Alleges Missile Strikes
According to López, combat helicopters fired missiles and rockets into urban areas of Caracas, as well as parts of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states.
He said authorities were still compiling reports on civilians who may have been killed or injured during the strikes.
“This invasion represents the greatest outrage our country has ever suffered,” López said.
‘Air Strikes Won’t Defeat Us’ — López
The defence minister accused the United States of violating the United Nations Charter and international law.
However, he insisted that the military action would not break Venezuela’s resolve.
“They have attacked us, but they will not defeat us,” López said. “Our vocation is peace, but our heritage is the fight for freedom.”
Regime Change, Not Terrorism — Venezuela
López rejected claims that the operation targeted terrorism. Instead, he said the air strikes aimed to impose regime change and seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil reserves.
Consequently, he called on the international community and multilateral organisations to condemn the US action.
Call for National Unity
The defence minister urged Venezuelans and members of the armed forces to unite in defence of the country’s sovereignty and right to self-determination.
“We will form an indestructible wall of resistance,” he said.
The comments come amid rising global concern over the legality and potential consequences of the US military operation in Venezuela.
